Power transmission



March 29, 1938. w. T. DUNN POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet ,l

- INVENTOR. Hl'llidm 73' Dunn,

BY Y ATTORINEYS.

March 29, 1938. w. T. DUNN POWER TRANSMISSION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1935 R-, m N 1 mum; 772112727.

ATTORNEYS.

March 29, 1938.

W. T. DUNN POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. m'llldm T310271.

44% v ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 29, 19 38 I i I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POWER TRAN SIVIISSION William '1. Dunn, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Micln, a corporation of Delaware Application September 26, 1935, Serial No. 42.266 i 33 Claims. (01. 74-260) This invention relates to power transmission vide an automatic overdrive of simplified conand refers. more particularly to improvements struction and operation adapted to function in in speed ratio changing mechanism especially controlling the direct drive, overdrive, and adapted for use in driving motor vehicles. reverse drive.

One object of my invention is to provide an Additional objects are to provide for simpli- 5 improved speed ratio changing mechanism preffication in the manufacture and operation of erably providing an overdrive, or a speed greater an automatic overdrive; an overdrive having a than one to one between driving and driven novel arrangementfor centering rotative'parts shafts in the transmission of power from the by thrust absorbing means associated with the engine to the vehicle ground wheels. j overdrive gearing; and an overdrive having char- 10 More particularly, further objects of my" inacteristics of smoothly eilecting changes in'the vention are to provide a-mechanism of the chardriving speeds; I acter aforesaid having improved characteristics Further objects and advantages of my invenof long life, quietness of operation, automatic tion will be more apparent fromthe following response to the speed of vehicle travel, simplidetailed description of several illustrative em-. 15 fication of parts, and relatively low cost of bodiments of my invention, reference being had manufacture. to the accompanying drawings in which: Another object of my invention is to provide Fig. 1 is a sectional elevationalview of one an automatic overdrive mechanism between drivembodiment of my overdriving mechanism.

ing and driven shafts incorporating releasable Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevational view 20 means in k the normal direct drive between the taken as indicated by line 2'2 in Fig. 1, showing shafts and wherein the releasable means prothe automatic centrifugal clutch. H vides a two-way drive prior to the synchroniz- Fig. 2A is a top plan view ofthe reverse shifting action of the members of the automatic ing member showing the engaged overrunning 5 clutch at or above the critical. speed of clutch clutch parts in cross section. s r Y engagement; also releasable means for the nor- Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken as mal direct drive which may pass through a indicated-by line 3-4 of Fig. 1, illustrating clutch, preferably of the roller type, to provide of the releasable or overrunning clutch ,a direct drive acting in conjunction with a fur- Fig i is a transverse sectional view'taken as' ther clutch of opposite action and so'arranged indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing the 30 that the overrun of the first clutch is limited other of the releasable or overrunning clutch by the second clutch in facilitating synchronizadevices. v

tion of the automatic clutch members. Fig. 5 is a view generally similar to Fig} 1 A further object of my invention is to provide but illustrating a modified form of my invenan improved arrangement of driving means protion.

viding the overdrive gear train, this gear train Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken as being controlled by an automatic clutch of the indicated by the line H- in Fig. 5 showing the centrifugal force operated type, in combination automatic clutch and control therefor.

withoppositely acting releasable driving means i Fig; '7 is a' view generally similar to Fig. 1

4-0 providing controlled relative rotation between but illustrating a further modification of my 40 the driving and driven shafts for permitting the invention. I driven shaft to overrun the driving shaft in Fig. 8 is atransverse sectional view taken as synchronizing the rotational speeds of the auto- I indicated by line H'in' Fig. 7 showing the matic clutch structures while providing a twoautomatic centrifugal clutch.

way drive at speeds of the shafts insufllcient to Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated 45 operate the automatic clutch. my overdriving mechanism in Figs. 1 to 4 as Further features of my invention reside in an operating between a power driving shaft I0 and improved direct driving clutching means for cona driven shaft ll. These two shaftsmay be trolling an overdrive; also an improved direct arranged anywhere along the line of power driving clutching means having rollers adapted transmission between the usual engine and driv- 5o to provide a direct drive connectiomand acontrol ing ground wheels of the motor vehicle and intherefor operable by movement of the centrifu- 'asmuch as such parts are well...;known, I have gal force operated element of the overdrive connot illustrated them in my drawings- The shaft trol clutching means. l0 preferably receives its drive from the usual A further object of my invention is to prochange speed transmission mechanism which [6 connected by the ring-like carriers 28 and 25,.the latter carrier functioning as a driving member I may be located in the casing |2 to the rear of Shaft I5 is suitably rotatably journalledfone bearing therefor being shown at H while shaft II is rotatably iournalled by bearings l5 and IS, the usual speedometer drive being taken from shaft II by the gearing l1 and I8 ina well known manner. e I

The driven shaft is provided with an enlarged forward extension l9 coaxial with the aligned axes of shafts l0 and H and surrounding the rear end of shaft l0. While this enlarged projection may be built up with shaft H as in Fig. 6 hereinafter referred to), such projection is illustrated in Fig. l as being integrally connected with shaft through a hub 2|].

The projection I9 is provided with a forwardly opening cylindrical bore 2| whereby the projecis also formed with -a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections 22 adapted :to fit into rearwardly extending slots 23 of a cylindricaldriving member '24 surrounding shaftv l0 and mounted concentrically therewith.

The forward end of the driving member 24 carries. an'internal gear 25 meshing with a plurality of circumferentially spaced planetary gears 25. The planetary gears are mounted on axles 21.

for planetary gears 24 under conditions presently more apparent. These carriers may also be connected intermediate a pair of the planetary gears by suitable spacing structures and the carrier 25 is provided with a hollow portion 2| having a rearwardly opening cylindrical bore .32 providing the outer clutch member or. portion of a second releasable or overrunning clutch device generally indicated at B. W U

' The hollow portion 2| a further rearward extension 43 formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings or slots 34 adapted for clutching engagement with the centrifugal force operated clutching element 35 of the automatic clutch C as will presently be more apparent.

The planetary gears 25 also mesh with a sun gear carried by a sleeve 51 freely surrounding shaft in and having an outwardly extending flange non-.rotatably securedby fasteners 39 to the stationary casing l2. The teeth of the illustrated planetary gear .trainmay be formed heli- 'One feature of the present embodiment of my invention, in its more limited aspects, consists in forming the members 4| and Y42 as similar or companion parts and where this feature of my invention is used these members are respectively provided with'diam'etrically opposite radially extendinglcompanion guideways. 43, 44 and 45, 45

so that when the members 4| and 42 are placed 1:

back to back for contacting surfaces at 41, the guideways .43 and .45 will cooperate. to slidably receive the clutching portion 48 of the centrifugal element il'whilc the guide-ma 44 and 44 will likewise cooperate to slidably receive the diametrically opposite counterbalance guide portion 49 of the centrifugal element 35.

The portions 48 and 49 ofthe centrifugal element 35 are'connected together by a yoke portion 50 which surrounds the splined end of shaft I0, the shaft serving to limit movement of element 35 in its GXtIQkIGPOSIUOIlS of opposite movement.

A spring: 5| acts between shaft lfland an adjustable'abutment screw 52, this spring acting to yieldingly urge the element 35 to the declutched position illustrated in Fig. 2 where the clutching portion 48 is free from engagement with the slots 34.

The members 4| and 42 are formed with the cam surfaces 52 and 54, respectively, and for convenience of manufacture these cam surfaces may be similarly formed so that the parts 4| and 42 arecomplementary to each other, although as will be presently apparent a. portion of each cam surface is not used. The clutch A further comprises a plurality of cylindrical rollers 55 disposed between the cylindrical opening 2| and the cam surfaces 53, a cage serving to properly space rollers 55. Coil springs 51 surround member 4|, these coil springs being anchored at one end to the member 4| and having their other ends act- 7 ing on cage, 56 yieldingly urglngthis cage in a clockwise with. the parts as'viewed'in Fig. :4 and assuming the driving shaft III to normally rotate clockwise when viewed from front to rear! I It will, therefore, be apparent that the clutches A and B are effective for opposite directions'of rotation ofshaft I0 and for-convenience of ref-v erence the clutch A may be designated as "a right? hand clutch and the clutch B as a left-hand clutch. While other, forms of releasable clutches or couplings may be employed if desired, I prefer to use the cam and roller type ofclutch as illustrated since it is relatively simple in construction and operation and has been used to good advantage with free wheeling drives. v

In order to provide for a reverse drive between shafts l0 and for reversing the direction of 2 vehicle travel, the following mechanism is provided.

In Fig. 1, the transmission l2 is'shown with a portion of the change speed-gearing which, for

convenience of illustration, may be of the well I00 adapted for constant drive from the usual engine drive shaft (not shown), this countershaft having,

known countershaft sliding gear type. transmission comprises the countershaft the pinion ||i| in constant mesh with reverse idler gear I02. Slidably splined on shaft .||l is the low speed and reverse gear I03 shiftable by collar I04 I engaged by'the usual fork I05 which is connected in a well known manner (not shown) to the usual;

gear shift control lever.

In order to reverse thenormal direction of drive of shaft |||,.gear I03 is shifted .rearwardly to When thisshifting takes mesh with idler H12.

place, the clutch A is rendered inoperative by the a following mechanism the desirability of which willbe presentlyapparent.

The inwardly extending flange of cage 55 has riveted thereto at I06 a ring I 01 (freely surrounding splines 40.

'gear shifting where helical splines II3.are employed on shaft I0 for the gear I03.

The key IIO has a forward enlargement I I4 shown in Figs. 1 and 2A freely slidable in aligned axial slots or grooves H5, H6, and I I1 respective- 4I. In Fig. 2A thev parts are in the normal direct forward drive between'shafts I0 and II, through clutch A, it being notedthat cage 56 may slightly move in the directionof arrow 58 relative to member 4I whn'jshaftll and extension I 9 rotate faster than memberf4l and shaft'I 0..

The rearward end of key enlargement II 4 is bevelled at H8 for slidable contact ,with bevel II9 of ring I 01, this ring and cage56 having an opening I20 to receive the end of enlargement II4 when shifted rearwardly. During such'rearward shifting the bevel II8 engages bevel H9 to rotate ring I08 and cage 56 in the direction of arrow 58 sufliciently to hold rollers 55 in their neutral positions on cam s 53 so that they cannot lock up as in the Fig. 3 position.

- The slots II 5 and H6 will accommodate forward movement of key enlargement II4 when gear I03 is shifted forwardly to drive shaft I0 in a low speed forward direction, it being further noted that shaft 'recess I2I will accommodate ly formed in member 42, pawl 35, and member rear shifting of enlargement I I4.

This reverse lock out of clutch A 'is desirable sincesas will be presentlyapparent, shaft II is driven faster than shaft I0 when reversing. This 7 would tend to lock up clutch A in direct drive relationship. Thereverse overall drive from the engine to shaft II is a reduction driverby reason of the reverse gear set IOI, I02, and I03.

In the operation of the power transmission, let it first be assumed that the engine is driving the motor vehicle in the normalforward direction at a speed less than that'sufi'lcient to cause the element 35 to be projected outwardly by centrifugal force operating thereon in opposition to the spring 5I. For convenience of reference the=rotational speed 'of this centrifugal element 35 which is sufficient to cause outward movement for clutching with one of the slots 34 may be termed the critical speed. Under the'aforesaidi assumed conditions, shaft III will rotate clockwise in the direction of arrow 58 asviewed in Fig. 3, the cam driving members H and 42 also rotating clockwise along with the centrifugal, element 35. Such rotation will cause: the following portions of cam faces 53 of clutch A to wedge the rollers in conjunction with the cylinder 2I so that the driven shaft extension-I9 is releasably locked with member H and driven therewith in a clockwise direction. The key 0 occupies the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and ;2

This clockwise rotational movement of projection I9 is of course transmitted to driven shaft II for imparting a forward driving speed to the motor vehicle. During this forward drive which is a direct drive or,,a speed ratio of .one to one between shafts 0 and II, the driven shaft carries with it the cylindrical member 24 causing the inaround the stationary sun gear 36 to rotate the slots 34 in aclockwise direction and-at aspeed ternal gear 25 to operate the planetary gears 26 less than that of shaft I0 depending on the value of the planetary gear train as'may be desired. During this normal direct drive theclutch B overruns since member 42 rotates clockwise at a speed greater than that of cylinder 32but springs 6| operate through'cage' to hold the rollers 59 toward the leading portions of the cam faces.54 preventing wedgingengagement of rollers 59. It is generally deemed desirable to provide atwo-way drive so that when coasting the engine may be used as a brake even whenthe automatic clutch C is disengaged and to this end it will be observed that under the foregoing assumed condition of direct drlveat less than the critical speed, when the motor vehicle operator releases the usual accelerator pedal tending to slow down the driving shaft -I0,the momentum of the motor vehicle tends to continue the rotation of driven shaft II. 1

This will cause the clutch A to release for the 7 reason that the outerclutch portion or cylinder 2I moves faster thanthemember-M thereby urging rollers 55 toward-their neutral positions midway of the cam faces 53 where they arefree from engagement with the cylinder 2| creams V 53. It will be understood, however, that these rollers, in. the illustrated arrangement, do not actually move to these neutral positions (except when-positively shifted by key IIO for the reverse drive) for the reason that springs 51 yieldingly urge the rollers toward their engaged posi-- tions but they cannot lock during this overrunning action because of the tendency of cylinder 2| to constantly urgethe rollers toward the aforesaid neutral positions. I I The aforesaid overrunning action quickly reduces thespeed of driving shaft I0 below that of driven-shaft -I I; so that the clutch B willengage approximately when the rotational speeds of cylinder 32 and member are synchronized. In. other words, as'long' as member 42 is rotating faster than cylinder 32,'the rollers 59 will not be wedged to drivinglylock theseparts buta's the v speedof the driving shaft is reduced relative to that of cylinder 32, this cylinder approaches the speed of member 42 and then tends to drive faster than shaft I0. At thistime which'is approximately at the time of synchronization of the speeds of cylinder 32 and member '42, rollers 59 being constantly yieldingly urged to their normal locking positions will be wedged sothat the hollow shaft 3| will then drive member 42 and shaft l0nthrough the rollers preventing any further reduction in the speed of shaft IOLrela-"..

tive tothat of shaft II.

panied by release of clutch A and engagementof clutch'B also serves to facilitate engagement of faster than the shaft I I.

This very short time interval of overrun of driven shaft llg'a'cc'om Returning to the assumed conditions of 1 sumed that the operator again depresses the ac-jg. celerator pedal so that the shaft I0'is 'rota'ted Under such conditions. the clutch B will immediately be released and as v soon as the member H has approached the speed of cylinder 2| and driven shaft II, the rollers 55 of clutch A "areready to be'wedged so that on any further increase in'the speed of driving snai't' I0 will cause these rollers to lock and thereby reaches a speed of about 45 miles per hour a1- engagement for the automatic clutch C.-

again transmit the direct drive from shaft II toshaftll.

Let it nowbe presumed that shaft n is driving shaft i I atv some speed above the critical speed of This speed will, of course; depend on the character of the drive,.the ratio of the driving parts between shaft II and the-motor vehicle ground wheels where the mechanism is. used for driving a motor vehicle, the value of spring BI and the adjustment thereof by the member 62, and many other variable factors. Where the mechanism is used as motor vehicle overdrive, it is usually preferred to arrange the parts so that the centrifugal element 35 will be moved outwardly toward its clutching position whenever the motor vehicle though obviously the automatic clutch may be arranged-so that it will operate at a higher or a lower speed according topreference. Therefore, when the motor vehicle is driven above the critical speed, it will be apparent that the centrifugal force acting on element 35 will move the element so that the clutching portion 48 thereof is projected outwardly into engagement with the inner cylindrical surface of the hollow extension 33. During the direct drive between shafts II and H, the difl'erence in speed of the centrifugal element II and the slots 34 is suihcient to prevent the centrifugal element from entering one of the slots since-under such conditions the cen- 'trifugal element will jump across the slots; it

being customary to facilitate this jumping action by providing a suitable cam face on theclutching portion II as is now well known in the art.

with the centrifugal element 35 projected outmy during the direct drive, a momentary release of the acclerator pedal will cause a reduction in the speed of shaft ll relative to that of' shaft ii thereby .releasing the clutchA as aforesaid, the member 4! rapidly dropping to the speed of cylinder 32 so that t e members are quickly. synchronized at which time the centrlfugal element 35 q i kly moves outwardly into engagement with one of the slots II. I The holv low extension 33 is provided with a relatively large number of slots 34 to facilitate the entry of the centrifugal element 35 into one of these slots just at the time of synchronization in the speeds of the two members of the :automatic clutch C. but in the event. that the centrifugal element 35 fails to enter one of the slots 14, it will be apparent that the clutch B willcome into action to prevent a further dropping in speed of shaft il below that of cylinder 32 so that when the operator again depresses the acclerator pedal the centrifugal element will immediately move outwardly into the next adjacent slot 34" to theneifect a positive coupling between thedriving shaft II and the hollow portion if.

when the centrifugal element 3! is. engaged with one of the slots 34 as aforesaid, shafts l0 and Ii are positively connected for a two-way drive with shaft lldriving shaft II at a speed ratio greater than one to one and depending on the value of the planetary gear train. .This drive passes from shaft ill to the members ll and 2, a through the centrifugal element 35 to the hollow portion Ii and thence through the planetary gears 26 to the cylindrical member 24, the drive then passing directly out through the driven shaft II with the clutches A and -B released.

When the speed of the motor vehicle falls suflicientiy' below thecriticalspeed to cause the springlltoovercuna-thefdctimtcndingtohold the centrifugal element into engagement with one of the slots, this spring will move the end portion I! of the centrifugal element 35 outwardly and thereby moving the opposite end portion 48 inwardly free from engagement with the slots 34 to release the automaticclutch C. This-restores the two-way drive between shafts l0 and v l I asoutlined above for the normal direct driving conditions, it being noted that the cycle ,of operation for direct drive or for overdrive is entirely automatic and lmmediatelyresponsive to nonnal driving conditions. I

It will furthermore be noted that when the operator manipulates the" usual well-known mechanism to reverse the normal direction of. rotation of drlving shaft ill by shifting gear. ill! and key H0 rearwardly for reversing the direction of movement of the motor vehicle, the counterclockwise movement of shaft ill will'be accom t panied by a release of ,clutch A (rollers 55 being shifted to their neutral positions) and an engagement of clutch B so that the driven shaft ii will be rotated in its reverse direction through clutch B and the planetary gearingin response to reversingthe drive of shaftv III.

It will furthermore be noted that my transmission provides meansj for preventing undesired backward roll of the vehicle. Thus, when driven shaft ll tends to drive the shaft llin a reverse direction relative to the normal forward driving rotation of these shafts, clutch A automatically locks shafts II and II followedby locking of clutch B. Shaft i'l thus cannot drive shaft." since the planetary gear train becomes locked, it being remembered that sun gear 31 is fixed to the casing. When backward roll of the. vehicle is desired, free from a coupling of 'the engine as is frequently desirable, the operator may shift the transmission gear I" into its reverse position which renders clutch A inoperative, clutch .B then overrunning.' Under such conditions the vehicle may be roiledbackwards with shaft in free to remain stationary. r

If desired, an automatic control maybearranged for the centrifugal element 35 of the audrive between shafts i0 and ii issum'cient to urge the centrifugal element outwardly. by the centrifugal force acting thereon, the centrifugal. element will nevertheless be held inwardly against.

movement toward the slots 34 until the operator releases the accelerator pedal suillciently to slow down the speed of shaft Ill below that of shaft '46 .1 tomatic clutch C so that even when the direct I l for causing an overrunning action at the clutch i A. One form of such cont'rolis disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 31,321 filed July 7 15, 1935 and in Figs.- 5 and 61 have illustrated this control-appl ed to the overdrive of .Flgs. 1

to 4. InFigs. 5 and 6 similar reference charac-.

ters indicate parts which have'the same construction and operation as those previously described so that such parts will not need further reference, The construction of the centrifugal.

element 35" of the automatic clutch C and the construction of the cage 58 of the clutch Af are however slightly varied as follows;

One of the end portions of the centrifugal element 35". such as the clutching portion 48 thereof is provided with a slot 62 in a side face thereof adapted for engagement with a finger ,exten;

sion 63 of cage 56, this extension projecting forwardly from the cage through'an opening 64 of the cam-carrying member Ma the latter member being otherwise similar to the aforesaid member ll of I'ig. l. happening 8! has sufficient clearance with cage extension 63 so that relative rotational movement may take place between the cage and. member 4| to a limited extent such as normally takes place by the small amount of movement of rollers 55 of clutch A when these rollers move relative to member 4| 4 therefore be repeated except in so far as this operation is modified by the action of cage extension 63 and the slot 62 of the centrifugal element or pawl 35 It will furthermore be understood that key I I cooperates with the reverse shift gear as in Fig. 1, thelatter gear being omitted in the Fig. 5 showing. r

When shaft is driving shaft II in the direct drive through the clutch A, the position'of rollers 55 is such that the cage 56 occupies the position illustrated in Fig. 6 wherein the cage extension 63 is moved to engage the slot 62. It will, therefore, be apparent that during this direct drive, even when the driving shaft rotates at a speed above the critical speed of clutching action for the clutch C, outward movement of theclutching portion 48 of the centrifugal element 35" will be prevented bythe projection 63'and the centrifugal element will not be released for clutching movement until the driving shaft is slowed down accompanied by an overrunning action at clutch A. At such time the rollers 55 have a small amount of movement accompanied by a corresponding movement in the cage 56 sufficient to move the projection 63 clear of the slot 62 and thereby permit the synchronizing action between the centrifugal element and the slots 34 and entry of the clutching portion 48 into one of these slots as previously described. When the drive falls below the critical speed for clutch C, the centrifugal clement 35 will be moved inwardly by the spring 5| thereby restoring the slot 62 in rotational alignment with the projection 63 so that the normal direct drive shafts I0 and H may again take place.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, I have illustrated a somewhat modified arrangement of parts although the advantages ofv the mechanism and the operation thereof are as heretofore set forth in connection with the Fig. 1 mechanism. In this modification, the driving shaft ID has its rea'rwardly splined end 40' engaged by a hub 65 of the planetary carrier 29 which has the same planetary gears 26 mounted on shafts 21 and other associated parts designated by reference characters similar to those shown in Fig. 1.

Splines 40 are also engaged by the driving cam carrying member 4| of the right hand or.

direct driving overrunning clutch A" which has a construction similar to the aforesaid clutch A. The driven shaft H has a forwardly extending end 63 rotatably centered in a piloting bearing 67 within the rear end of driving shaft ID, the driven shaft in this instance having splines 68 drivingly mounting the cam carrying member 42 f r the oppositely acting or left hand overrunning clutch B" which may be similar in construction and operation to the clutch B of Fig. 1. The driven shaft may also have a further bearing support as'indicated at I5.

The outer clutching portion I8 of the overrunning clutch A in this instance is formed as a hollow member having at'its rear end a pin rality of circumferentially spaced slots 59 en-- gaged by the projections 10 of the member 42'.

The hollow member I! provides a cage or carrier H- for the centrifugal clutching element 35 of the automatic clutch C. The'forward end of cylinder 24 is journalled by a bearing assembly 12 carried by hub 65. This bearing 12 not only 'rotatably centers the. cylinder 24 and internal gear 25 but also absorbs the thrust on the internal gear where helical planetary gear set is employed for very quiet operation.

The planetary gears 26 engage the internal gear 25 carried by the cylindrical member 24' which is formed with the series of slots 34 adapted for engagementiwith the clutching portion' 48 of the centrifugal element 35. At its rear end, the cylindrical member 24 is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced open: ings 13 for driving connection tions B".

In connection with the reverse mechanismof Fig. '7, it being understood that key H0 is shifted as in the Fig. l disclosure and description, the key enlargement H4 has a bevel H8 similar'to the aforesaid bevel H8 and for the same purpose. In Fig. 7 the shifting movements of key.

H0 and enlargement H4 are accommodated by corresponding grooves I 09 in shaft 10 and grooves H6 and H1 respectively formed in pawl 35f'and member4l. enlargement Hills accommodated l2! in member 42.

The operation of the Fig. 7 mechanism is by the recess generally similar to that described at length in. connection with the Fig. 1 mechanism, the norand H pass mal direct drive between shafts l0 ing through member 4|, the right hand overrunning clutch A to the hollow member I9 and thence through the member 42 to the driven shaft II, the left hand running clutch B being released for overrunning. During this direct drive the hub 65 of planetary carrier 29"W11l rotate the planetary gears 26 causing the cylindrical member 24" and slots 34 to be driven from shaft I0 and at a faster speed with re-. spect thereto. During the direct drive below the critical speed of clutch engagement for the automatic clutch C, shaft H may also drive shaft ID for using the engine as a brake, this action taking place generally as before described by an overrunning action at clutch A and a clutching operation at clutch B" when the speed of the member 3| reduces to approxi-,

ment 35 will be urged outwardly as before but.

cannot engage the slots 34' becauseof the difference in rotational speeds between the centrifugal element 35 and the slots 34'. However, on a reduction in the speed of driving shaft III the clutch A will overrun, the rotational speed of centrifugal element 35' continuing with driven shaft II by reason of the driving connection at 69, I0 and when the rotational speed of the cylindrical member 24' and slots 34 reduces to synchronization with the rotational speed of the centrifugal element 35', the centrifugal element will move outwardly to engage a slot 34 as be- I with theprojec I4 of the outeTmember 3| of theclutch Rearward shifting of key fore. Also, in the event that the centrifugal element does not engage one of the slots 34' at the time of synchronization, the clutch B will come into operation to hold the parts of the automatic clutch C substantially at their synchronized speeds, of the engagement so that the next time the driving shaft II is operated to drive the vehicle forwardly, the centrifugal element will immediately engage one of the slots. In either event, the overdrive will then be in operation whereby the driving shaftll' drives through hub 65, thence through the planetary gear train to the centrifugal element II, the drive then passing through the hollow member l9- and member 42}, to operate the driven shaft ii at an overdrive speedratio, the clutch A" overrunning.

-In Fig. 7 theplanetary gears 20 engage the sun gear 36' which is stationary as before although in this instance the sun gear is carried by a sleeve 31' provided with extended teeth adapted to be engaged withvthe internal teeth ll of the fixed casing member ll.

In order to somewhat facilitate entry of the centrifugal pawl portion ll into one of the slots 34' approximately at synchronization of their speeds, one orboth side faces of the pawl portion may be beveled at I! preferably; to an extent less in radial distance than the engaged depth of slots 34" so that after full clutching movement of the pawl)! there is no undue clearance between the pawl and .a slot which might be objectionable for the two-way drive through the clutch C" and the overdrive gearing.

Various modifications and changes will be apparent from the teachings of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims, and it is not my intention to limit my invention to the particular I detailsof construction and operation shown and described for illustrative purposes.

What I claim is: I 1. In a drive for a motor vehicle having a power driving shaft and ashaft driven therefrom and adapted to drive the vehicle, means including a gear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed,

different than that of said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including clutching structures respectively adapted for driving connection with said driving and driven shafts at least when said structures are clutched for automatically connecting said shafts through said gear. train driving means, clutching means progear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed different than that of :said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including .clutching structures respectively adapted for driving connectionwith said driving and driven shafts at least when'said structures are clutched for auto- 'matically connecting said shafts through said gear train driving means, clutching means pros viding a releasable direct drive from said driving shaft to said driven shaft, and releasable clutchingm'eans including clutchable members respectively drivingly connected to an element of structures respectively adapted for driving connection with said driving and driven shafts at leastwhen said structures are clutched forautomatically connecting said shafts through said gear train driving means, and a plurality of oppositely acting overrunning clutches respectively adapted for drivingly connecting said shafts for a direct drive to said drivenshaft and for a drive in the opposite direction to said driving shaft through the intermediary of said gear train means, each-of said overrunning clutches include ing apair of rotatable clutching members respectively adapted to be driven from said driving and driven shafts.

4. In a drive for a motor vehicle having a power driving shaft and a shaft driven therefrom and adapted to. drive the vehicle, means including a gear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed different than that of said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including clutching structures respectively adapted for driving consaid driving shaft to said driven shaft, and oneway clutch driving means operably connecting said clutching structures for drivingly connecting said shafts through said gear train means to provide, a releasable drive from said driven shaft to said driving shaft. 7

5. In a drive fora motor vehicle having a power driving shaft and a shaft driven therefrom and adapted to drive the vehicle, means including a.

gear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a-speed different than that of said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including clutching structures respectively adapted for driving con- Z nection with said drivingand driven shafts at least when said structures are clutched for automatically connecting said shafts through said gear train driving means, one of said clutching structures including a centrifugal force actuated clutching element adapted for clutching engagement with the other when the rotational speeds of said structures are substantially synchronized, one-way clutch driving means operablyconnect-- ing said shafts for a releasable direct drive from said driving shaft to said driven shaft, and oneway clutch driving means having clutching m'embers respectively drivingly connected to rotate with said clutching structures for overrunning action therebetween during said direct drive, the last said one-way clutch being adapted to provide a drive from said driven shaft to said driving shaft through the intermediary of said gear train means.

6. In a change speed transmission, a drive shaft, a driven shaft, an overrunning clutch operably connecting said shafts for a direct drive from said drive shaft to said driven shaft, a second overrunning clutch including clutching members, means for driving one of said members from and in the same direction as one of said shafts, means including a gear train for driving the other of said members from the other of said shafts,"said second overrunning'clutch acting to clutch said members thereof in response to overrun of said driven shaft relative to said driving shaft.

'7. In a power transmissiomdrivingand driven shafts, complementary oppositely acting overrunning clutch cam members drivingly connected to one of said shafts, each of said cammembers having an opening, said openings being registered to provide a guideway, a clutching element slidably mounted in said guideway and adapted for" movement by centrifugal force acting thereon, rollers engaging said cam members, cylindrical members engaging said rollers, means, for drivingly connecting the cylindrical members with the other of said shafts, one of said cylindrical members having a slot adapted to receive said clutching element. r

8. In a drive for a motor vehicle having a power driving shaft and a shaft driven therefrom and adapted to drive the vehicle, means including a planetary gear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed different than that of said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including clutching structures respectively adapted for driving connection with said driving and driven shafts at least when said structures are clutched for automatically connecting said shafts through said gear train driving means, clutching means providing a releasable direct drive from said driving shaft to said driven shaft, and clutching means providing a releasable drive from said driven shaft to said driving shaft, the last said clutching means including rotatable, clutching elements respectively drivingly connected to one of said shafts and to a gear element of said planetary gear train.

9. In a drive for a motor-vehicle having a power driving shaft and a shaft driven therefrom and adapted to drive the vehicle, means including a gear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed different than that of said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including clutching structures respectively adapted for driving connection with said driving and driven shafts at least when said structures are clutched for automatically connecting said shafts through said gear train driving means, a right hand releasable clutch operably connecting said shafts, and a left hand releasable clutch having clutching members respectively drivingly connected to rotate with said clutching structures.

10. In a motor vehicle drive, a driving shaft, a driven shaft aligned therewith, means including planetary gearing intermediate said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed greater than that of said driving shaft, said intermediate driving means including cooperating clutching members, one of which is movable by centrifugal force for clutching engagement with the other when the speeds of said clutching members are substantially synchronized,'clutching means providing a oneway direct drive between said shafts, and clutching means including clutching elements respectively drivingly connected to rotate with said clutching members for providing a one-way drive from said driven shaft to said driving shaft through said planetary gearing.

11. In a motor vehicle drive, a driving shaft, a driven shaft aligned therewith, means including planetary gearing intermediate said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a. speed greater than that of said driving shaft, said intermediate driving means including cooperating clutchingmembers, one of which is movable by centrifugal force for clutching engagement 'with the other when the speeds of said clutching members are substantially synchronized, roller clutch means providing a one-way direct drive between said shafts, and roller clutch means including clutching elements respectively drivingly connected to rotate with said clutching membersfor providing a one-way drive from said driven shaft to said driving'shaft through said planetary gearing.

12. In a motor vehicle drive, a driving shaft,

clutching members being drivingly carried by one of said driving members, means for drivingly connecting the other of said clutching members to one of said shafts, means providing a releasable direct drive betwcensaid shafts, and means promediate said shafts for driving said driven shaft from and at a speed greater than said driving .shaft, said intermediate driving means including a fixed sun gear, an internal gear having a driving member carried therewith, a planetary gear meshing with said sun and internal gears and having a driving member carried therewith, means for drivingly connecting one of said driving members with one of said shafts, the other of said driving members being provided with a-slot, a centrifugal force actuated clutching element drivingly connected to the other of said shafts and adapted for clutching engagement with said -slot when the speeds of said slot and clutching element are substantially synchronized, means for releasably drivingly connecting said shafts for a direct drive therebetween prior to clutching engagement of said clutchingelement. means controlled by said releasable direct drive means for controllingmovement of said clutching element, and means for releasably drivingly connecting said shafts through the intermediary of said planetary gear for driving said driving shaft from said driven shaft.

14, In a motor vehicle drive, a driving shaft, a

driven shaft aligned therewith, means intermediate said shafts for driving said driven shaft from and at a speed greater than said driving ing connection between the last saidshaft and the other of said driving members, overrunning clutch means between said shafts. providing a direct drive therebetween, and means operating in response to overrun of said overrunning clutch means for releasably drivingly connecting said shafts through said planetary gear independently of said clutching element.

15. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, overrunning clutch means between said shafts for releasablyrcoupling said shafts for a drive therebetween, means including an auto v matically operating clutch for drivingly connecting said shafts around said overrunning clutch, said automatically operating clutch including clutching members respectively adapted for driving connection with said shafts at least during clutching engagement'thereof, one of said clutching members being engageable with the other in response to substantially synchronized rotational speeds of said members during overrun between said-shafts, and means for releasably coupling said shafts during said overrun independently of clutching, engagement of said members and in response to a predetermined reduction in the rotational speed of one of said clutching members with respect to the speed of the other of a said. clutching members,

16. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, overrunning clutch means between said shafts for releasablygcoupling said shafts for a forward drive therebetween, means including an automatically operating clutch for drivingly connecting said shafts around said overrunning clutch, said automatically operating clutch including clutching members respectively adapted for driving connectionwith said shaftsat least during clutching engagement thereof, one of said clutching members being engageable with the other in response to substantially synchronized rotational speeds of said members during overrun between said shafts, one-way clutch means for releasably coupling said shafts for a one-way drive therebetween in a direction opposite to that through said overrunning clutch means and in response to substantially synchronized rotational speeds of said clutching members, and manually controlled means for rendering said overrunning clutch means inoperative to provide a reverse drive from said driving shaft to said driven shaft through the intermediary of said one-way clutch means.

1'7. In a power driving mechanism, driving and driven shafts, means including a planetary gear train for driving said driven shaft from said driving shaft, said planetary gear train comprising sun, planetary and internal gears having helical teeth, a carrier for said planetary gear drivingly connected to one of said shafts,'clutching means for releasably drivingly connecting said internal gear to the other of said shafts, and a thrust bearing between said internal gear and said carrieradapted to rotatably journal said internal gear and to absorb the axial thrust on said internal gear incident to operation of said helically toothed gears.

18. In a drive for a motor vehicle having a power driving shaft and a shaft driven therefrom and adapted to drive said vehicle, overdriving means including planetary gearing between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed greater than the speed of the driving shaft, and a speed responsive clutch controlling said overdriving means, said clutch including clutching structures respectively adapted for driving connection to said driving and driven shafts at least when said structures are clutched, said clutch being adapted to automatically connect said shafts through said planetary gearing, an

overrunning clutch between said shafts for transmitting a direct one-way drive from said driving shaft to said driven shaft, and an oppositely acting overrunning clutch intermediate said clutching structures adapted to drivingly connect said shafts through, said planetary gearing.

19. In a transmission, driving and driven shafts, directdriving means between said shafts releasable to provide overrunning action therebetween, speed responsive means for coupling said shafts at, predetermined relative speeds thereof and when one of said shafts is rotating at or above a predeterminedspeed to provide a two-way drive therebetween at a speed ratio different from said direct drive, and means respon sive to said overrunning action for coupling said shafts when the relative speeds thereof approximate the aforesaid relative speeds to facilitate operation of said speed responsive means and to provide a one-way drive therebetween at said.

driven shaft from said driving shaft around said a direct driving means and at a speed ratio different therefrom, the last said means including an automatically engageable clutch comprising rotatable clutching members adapted for automatic engagement when the speeds thereof are substantially synchronized to establish said speed ratio drive between'said shafts, the arrangement of said clutching members and gear. train being such that said clutching members have relative rotation during said direct drive and approach rotational synchronism during said overrunning action, and means including elements respectively drivingly connected with said driving and driven shafts operable in response to said overrunning action for limiting said reductionin the speed of the driving shaft to facilitate engagement of the members of said automatic clutch.

21. In a power transmission, driving and driven shafts, direct driving means between said shafts releasable to provide overrunning action therebetween in response to a reduction in the speed of the driving shaft relative to the speed of the driven shaft, clutch controlled gear train means so constructed and arranged as to drive said driven shaft from said driving shaft around saidof said clutching members and gear train being such that said clutching members have relative rotation during said direct drive and approach rotational synchronism during said overrunning action, and one-Way clutching means between said clutching members acting in response to said overrunning action for limiting said reduction in the speed of the driving shaft to facilitate engagement of the members of said automatic clutch..

22. In a motor vehicle power transmission, aligned driving and driven shafts, direct driving means between said shafts including a roller clutch between said shafts releasable to permit overrunning action therebetween, means automatically operable in response to said overrunning action for operably connecting said shafts around said roller clutch for a two-Way drive between said shafts at a speed ratio different from said direct drive, means operable for driving said driving shaft in reverse, and means operable in response to operation of said reverse driving means for holding the rollers of said roller clutch to provide a reverse drive-to said driven shaft through the intermediary of said speed ratio driving means.

23. In a drive for a motor vehicle having a power driving shaft and a shaft driven therefrom and adapted to drive the vehicle, means including a gear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed different than that of said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including structures respectively adapted for driving connection with said driving and driven shafts at least when said structures are clutched for automatically connecting said shafts through said gear train driving means, clutching means providing a releasable-direct drive from said driving shaft to said driven'shaft, clutching means providing a releasable drive from said driven shaft to said driving shaft, the last said clutching means including cooperating rotatable clutching members respectively drivingly connected to said driv ing and driven shafts, means for reversing the normal driving direction of said driving shaft, and means shiftable in response to said reversing means for rendering the direct drive clutching means inoperative.

24. In a drive for a motor vehicle, having a power driving shaft and a shaft driven therefrom and adapted to drive the vehicle, means including, a gear train adapted for operation between said shafts for driving said driven shaft at a speed dlfierent than that of said driving shaft, speed responsive clutching means including clutching structures respectively adapted for driving connection with said driving and driven shafts at least when said structures are clutched for automatically connecting said shafts through said gear train driving means, clutching means providing a releasable direct drive from said driving shaft to said driven shaft, clutching means providing a releasable drive from said driven shaft to said driving shaft, the last said clutching means including cooperating rotatable clutching members respectively drivingly connected to said driv ing and driven shafts, means including a, shiftable gear drivingly connected to said driving shaft for reversing the normal driving direction of said driving shaft, and means operated in response to shifting movement of said shiftable gear for rendering the direct drive clutching means inoperative.

25. In an engine driven motor vehicle change speed transmission, a driving shaft adapted tobe driven by the engine, a driven shaft adapted to transmit the drive from'said driving shaft to ground wheels of the vehicle, an overrunning clutch operably connecting said shafts for a forward direct drive therebetween, a second overrunning clutch including clutching members, means for driving one of said members from one of said shafts, means including a gear train for driving the other of said members from the other of said shafts, said second overrunning clutch acting to clutch said members thereof in response to overrun of said driven shaft relative to said driving shaft whereby to drive said driving shaft fromsaid driven shaft when the-vehicle is travelling forwardly, saidoverrunning clutches being to transmit the drive from said driving shaft to ground wheels of the vehicle, an overrunning clutch operably connecting said shafts for a forward direct drive therebetween, a second overrunning clutch including clutching members, means for driving one of said members from one of said" shafts, means including a gear train for driving the other of said members from the other of said shafts, said second overrunning clutch acting to clutch said members thereof in response to overrun of said driven shaft relative to said driving shaft whereby to drive said driving shaft from said driven shaft when the vehicle is travelling forwardly, said overrunning clutches being arranged to automatically prevent said driven shaft from rotating in' a direction opposite to its normal forwardly driving rotation when the vehicle tends to roll rearwardly, means for' drivingly connecting said driving shaft with theengine to I provide for driving the driving shaft from; said engine in a direction opposite to its normal forwardly driving direction when it is desired to drive the vehicle reversely, and means operated in response to the last said means for rendering one of said overrunning clutches inoperative for driving said driven shaft through the other of said overrunning clutches to provide said reverse vehicle drive,

27, In an engine driven motor vehicle change speed transmission, a driving shaft adapted to be driven by the engine, a driven shaft adapted to transmit the drive from said driving shaft to ground wheels of the vehicle, an overrunning clutch operably connecting said shafts for a forward direct drive therebetween, a second overrunning clutch including clutching members, means for driving one of said members from one of said shafts, means including a gear train for driving the other of said members from the other of said shafts, said second overrunning clutch acting to clutch said members thereof in response to overrun of said driven shaft relative to said driving shaft whereby to drive said driving shaft from said driven shaft when the vehicle is travelling forwardly, said overrunning clutches being arranged to automatically prevent said driven shaft from rotating in a direction opposite to its normal forwardly driving rotation when the vehicle tends to roll rearwardly, means for drivingly connecting said driving shaft with the engine to provide for driving the driving shaft from said engine in a direction opposite to its normal forwardly driving direction when it is desired to drive the vehicle reversely, and means operated in response to the last said means for rendering one of said overrunning clutches inoperative for driving said driven shaft through the other of said overrunning clutches to provide said reverse vehicle drive, said last named means being so constructed and arranged as to permit rearward roll of the vehicle, with said driven shaft rotating free from driving connection with said driving shaft.

28. In a motor vehicle transmission,- driving and driven shafts, an overrunning clutch between said shafts providing a direct forward drivetherebetween, means including a gear train for operably connecting said shafts around said overrunning clutch to drive said driven shaft from said driving shaft at a speed ratio greater than said direct drive,-said gear train driving means including a second overrunning clutch having clutching members respectively drivingly connected to an element of said gear train and to one of said shafts, the clutching members of said second overrunning clutch being adapted for overrunning action 'therebetween when said driving shaft drives said driven shaftsthrough clutch. v

29. In a motor vehicle transmission driving and driven shafts, an overrunning clutch between said shafts providing a direct forward :drlve therebetween, means including a gear train for operably connecting said shafts around said overrunning clutch to drive said driven shaft from said driving shaft at a speed ratio different from said direct drive,said gear train driving means in-' cluding a second overrunning clutch having clutching -members respectively drivingly connected to an element of said gear train and to r said driving shaft for rotation at the same speed and in the same direction as said driving shaft, the

substantially the same speed.

the first said'overrunning clutching members respectively drivingly connected to an elementof said gear train and to said driven shaft, the clutching members of said second overrunning clutch being arranged for overrunning action therebetween when said driving shaft drives said driven shaft through the first said overrunning clutch.

31. In a motor vehicle driving mechanism, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, releasable forward direct driving means between said shafts, clutch controlled gear train forward driving means operably connecting said shafts around said releasable driving means and including rotatable clutching elements respectively adapted for. driving connection to said driving .and driven shafts for'relatively different rotational speeds during said direct-drive, means preventing engagement of said clutching elements until the speeds thereof-are substantially synchronized, and means operably connected to said driving and driven shaftsoperatingin response to release ofsaid releasable direct driving means for driving said driving shaft from said driven shaft through said gear train means with saidclutching elements rotated at 32. In a motor vehicle driving mechanism, a

driving shaft, a driven shaft, means operable to reverse the normal direction of drive of said driving shaft to drive the vehicle inreverse, gear train means operably connecting said shafts for driving said driven shaft from said driving shaft at a speed ratio different from a l to 1 drive therebetween, means for operably connecting said shafts for a 1 to 1 drive therebetween, said speed ratio and said 1 to 1 drives acting to drive the vehicle forwardly, and means operably connecting said driving shaft with an element of said gear trainmeans for driving said drivenshaft through said gear train means fromsaiddriving shaft in response to operation nofsaid reverse operating means when it is desired to drive the vehicle in reverse.

33. In a change speed transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft,means providing a drive from the driving shaft to the driven shaft, means providing a second relatively faster drive from said driving shaft to said driven shaft, said second drive means including an automatically operating centrifugal clutch responsive to predeter mined drop in the speed of the driving shaft for establishing the drive through said second drive means, said clutch comprising members'centrifugally engaged only when rotated in approximate unison at or above a predetermined speed, and a means acting to limit the extent of drop in the speed of the driving shaft toa point at which said clutch members are rotated in approximate unison.

WILLIAM T. DUNN. 

